Home Page
   Articles
       links
About Us    
Traders        
Recipes            
Latest Articles
... the sky is baby blue, and the just-unfurling leaves ...
Page Previous  1, 2, 3 ... 291, 292, 293 ... 423, 424, 425  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Downsizer Forum Index -> Grow Your Own
Author 
 Message
Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Sat Nov 04, 17 8:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Hope the lump turns out to be nothing to worry about and that it is sorted soon Cassandra. The author seems to be behaving exceptionally stupidly, presumable because of your attitude to his potentially libelous comments. If you can't get your reply down to one page it isn't that serious, but make sure you cover all the points. It might be a good idea to point out the obvious to them. Glad after all that you had a quiet day at spinning.

Gregotyn, remember if you increase the width of the bag shute you need to make the sides lower otherwise it won't fit in the bag. Our bag tray is a close fit for those bags, so anything bigger just won't go in. Have fun with your tree stump.

If we leave the bracken it forms a layer on the surface of the ground which stops anything else coming through. By cutting it, we at least form a looser layer and grass and other things can grow though it. It may acidify the soil slightly, but it will acidify it a lot more if it is just left. As it is, we are slowly getting on top of the bracken and there is far more grass than there was. One particular area the yellow rattle is also spreading, which reduces the vigour of the grass and keeps it shorter too, which is a definate plus.

I don't know how many food banks, and how large they are, but the fruit that Jam Lady picked must have been very welcome to them. We are sometimes given fruit and veg by one of the supermarkets, and that is great to give out, as often fruit is one of the things that gets given up with if money is short, and although vegetables aren't as expensive, they do still cost more than cheap bread etc.

Jam Lady



Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2501
Location: New Jersey, USA
PostPosted: Sat Nov 04, 17 2:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

The food bank that receives the fruit picked by the garden club is across the river in Pennsylvania - we are a Pennsylvania garden club after all. Yes, I live in New Jersey but that is not an issue for membership.

The food bank nearby in New Jersey gets huge amounts of produce from the research farm. I once saw a fork lift loading their truck with huge bins of apples.

Supermarkets around here have donation bins for the food banks - things like canned soup, boxes of dry pasta, etc. Not perishables such as produce.

Once or twice a year the post office will pick up a plastic shopping bag of similar food stuff while delivering mail.

At our December luncheon meeting the garden club collects personal care items (shampoo, skin lotion, sanitary supplies, etc) for A Woman's Place (it's for women fleeing abusive situations) which someone then delivers. And if it was not clear the produce we pick is also delivered to them.

On a different topic - so far I've made pear cranberry chutney (recipe posted in Recipe) and peach tomato salsa.

I was going to go to Howell Living History Farm today for the corn harvest but there's too much to do. Today will be green tomato pickles. Make egg carton / wood shavings / wax fire starters - tired of faffing around with twists of paper, corrugated cardboard, and twigs to light our occasional morning fire. And I need to rake leaves to winterize the cut back bananas, also dig and box canna tubers. Winter is coming.

Jam Lady



Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2501
Location: New Jersey, USA
PostPosted: Sat Nov 04, 17 3:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

To clarify -
Quote:
And if it was not clear the produce we pick is also delivered to them.
"Them" refers to the food bank.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Sun Nov 05, 17 8:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

It's very sad that in relatively rich societies like ours food banks are needed Jam Lady, but you seem to do a lot for yours. One thing about your previous post; why are you not allowed to pick up fallen fruit because of E coli.? Do they graze pigs under the trees, or is it a high risk area? It is the tradition in the UK to pick up cider apples from the ground and although they are 'washed' it really only gets rid of the worst of the mud and bits. Having seen the water I shouldn't think it gets rid of anything like E coli?

You seem very busy. I have some quince brandy to make, then I ought to make some bramble jelly and bramble wine from fruit I have in the freezer, but haven't worked up the enthusiasm yet.

We had a members meeting of our coppice group last night, which was also husbands birthday. We had films, the main one being about a massive charcoal burn in the Black Forest on the French/German border. They put 64 cu m timber into it, and it looked massive. Ours usually have perhaps 5 cu m and our ring kiln holds about 2 cu m.

Before the film, the man doing the presentation had a birthday cake with husbands age in 2 special candles and I brought it out with the candles lit. It was only a shop one, but not bad at all. Plenty to eat, and several new people to talk to, so an interesting evening.

Jam Lady



Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2501
Location: New Jersey, USA
PostPosted: Sun Nov 05, 17 3:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Mistress Rose, I don't know the specifics on the ban about picking up fallen fruit at the research farm. It could be in part because the farm is operated by Rutgers University, hence a government property. It could also be because E. coli is more of a risk to the very young, the elderly, people with compromised immune systems - and who knows who at the food bank will be eating the fruit.

No they don't graze pigs, no livestock at the farm as a matter of fact. However I'm sure deer manage to get into the place.

The focus of the farm is primarily to assist farmers commercially producing the crops being studied. For example work is done on comparative production of semi-dwarf, dwarfing, spindle-on-wire apple trees down to details such as weight of apples produced. That's why we can only pick where directed so as not to distort results. Home owners can also ask for help selecting varieties, dealing with issues, etc.

I recall that there was a study on "organic" fertilizers for corn / maize touted in alternative homesteading publications - including milk. Inorganic fertilizers resulted in better yield. Another study (I don't remember the exact details) was studying basil, with a mesh cage over the large plot to keep bees from messing with the breeding results.

There's a Great Tomato Tasting event once a year where the public comes, pays an entry fee, and gets to sample a huge variety of modern and heirloom tomatoes.

The Snyder Research Farm, 390 acres, is especially useful because it is the most northern in New Jersey - different soils, different climate than the other research station. See here: https://snyderfarm.rutgers.edu/

cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Sun Nov 05, 17 10:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

The response is short and to the point MR - I scrapped the first three drafts and created a new document which allowed me to avoid being distracted by earlier efforts. And yes, it covered all the points. Sent it off this morning.

It is a bright sunny day - the second of which, following on from our return to winter. While not exactly balmy, the lack of wind reduces the chill factor and so we are able to bask in the sunshine and my washing is all done, with the last load drying as we speak. This includes my dressing gown as it occurred to me it should look a little more respectable if there is the slightest chance I might find myself spending a night in hospital. If I was energetic I would take it into the laundromat and put it through their dryer to remove contributions from my furry friends, but it actually seems to have achieved that in the wash so I won't bother.

I have also washed some mid-brown fleece in anticipation of future needs and that is drying in the shed, where the calendula petals seem to have achieved a desirable state of dryness also. Spinning activities may feature as the day progresses but first I think I will get out in the sunshine and reduce a bit more of the jungle in the back yard - if only to address increased snake activity.

I have enough wood for another few days of fires, though looking at the forecast it seems later this week will be rather summery so not sure if they will be necessary. Though I may light one tonight.

I do think that the FDA places rather too high a concern on matters of e-coli, JL - but in a litigious society such as yours I guess it is better to err on the side of caution, particularly when, as you say, many of the recipients may have increased vulnerability.

Jam Lady



Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2501
Location: New Jersey, USA
PostPosted: Mon Nov 06, 17 3:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

From HealthLink Canada British Columbia - They recommend pasteurizing apple cider and other juices because of health risks from E. coli that can include issues up to kidney damage and death.

https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-files/unpasteurized-fruit-juice-health-risk

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Mon Nov 06, 17 7:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

That looks a very interesting place Jam Lady. We have or had similar places in the UK. Most specialise in certain things, and have actually bred varieties, so we have East Malling for fruit, a Scottish one for potatoes (whose name currently escapes me) etc. The Royal Horticultural Society also has some smaller trial grounds for proving certain varieties too.

I understand that E. coli is a major problem, but it seems that they are probably just being particularly careful then. I just wondered if they grazed between the trees as that is a likely source, and in the UK sheep or even pigs are sometimes run in orchards at certain times of the year. Having seen an apple juice bottling plant, I would think they also need to pasteurise as they seemed to have some fruit flies, so it would stop it turning to vinegar. We have some pretty large commercial orchards round here, and we have visited a couple.

Glad you got your letter sorted out Cassandra. Hope the author now leaves well alone, as he sounds either rather stupid or vindictive or both. His tenure could be rather short if he carries on like that. Sounds as if spring is springing with you quite nicely. We currently have quite cool weather with a few frosts forecast.

Had a quiet day yesterday as both of us were feeling a bit under the weather from the after effects of this cold. I managed to finish the sleeves of my jumper, so just have to sew up the shoulders and knit the neckline before making up. Then on to the next project.

cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Tue Nov 07, 17 6:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Turns out I was wrong about the author - he nominated himself but the Vice President stepped up to the role, so that at least is not a problem.

I had a text message this morning from the Hospital reminding me of an appointment they had not yet told me about. A quick phonecall cleared things up and the letter arrived two hours later. It's on Thursday morning which is a real pest as I have to go to Hobart on Friday to hand in the phone for the Uni Study. I am presently trying to reschedule that for Thursday afternoon so I can make only one trip. I suppose I could stay at Barb's if not, but that would mean putting the dog in kennels again, sigh. And I have another trip down on Sunday for the demonstration spinning at the Brighton Show, so it's all action here.

I plied off the last of the dark brown wool and have made some progress on the light brown, and washing some mid-brown for future use (on Sunday as we will be there for around 8 hours so you get through a surprising amount of wool). And Facebook Memories reminded me that today I took out one of my early woolly worms and turned it into some 12 ply yarn. The current lot is more like 4 ply once plied, so progress has been made.

Tomorrow the weather will pick up again and turn to be 18 degrees which will mean the fact I am burning my last large log is not as alarming as it might otherwise be. I will nevertheless pick up another sack en route to town for the 'in case' turns of bad weather that put in an appearance around Christmas. And then I will dig out the chainsaw and cut up a railway sleeper or two.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Tue Nov 07, 17 7:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Hope you can re-schedule your phone hand in Cassandra. As you say, it seems to be all go at the moment for you. Looking at the pictures of your spinning, you have come on very well.

I went up to the woods yesterday, taking the car in the far end as the other van hasn't yet been fixed. Got to the gate and there was a large tractor and forwarder full of logs in the way. He pulled out a bit for me so I managed to get in, and once we had both established we had a right to be there (in his case he had a key rather than driving the tractor straight through the gate), all was well. Took lunch through, and son helped me with some log bagging while husband was trying to take a bit of tractor apart.

Met two other woodland owners on the way out and had a chat with them. It was a lovely day, with the beech leaves putting on a golden colour for us, so pleasant to be in the woods.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Tue Nov 07, 17 3:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

There is a lot I have read and can't remember-seems an age since I was here! We seem to be in a cool and wet period, although Saturday at the barn was ok. We think we may have to leave the next tree stump as it is very tangled with a wall and trying to cut it out with a chainsaw and not damage the blade was almost impossible so I think he will wait till the digger arrives and see if he can do it without too much damage to the stones and the area-it is in a wall line and plan A is to try to rebuild the wall once the stump has gone. Doubtless plan B will come into play-sit down and think again.

Thank you MR for the advice on the chute size. I have made a chute before for kindling nets and it took a lot of manoeuvring around to get it right for the net, in depth terms, but that for the logs will no doubt be more of a challenge as the sizes vary so much. The plan is to start with your size and hope! I have a lot of the said plastic, but the faster I get it made the better. I will be starting with your sizes as I think they will do me. If some are too long then I will either cut them down or sell some loose as a trailer load-already got a pub interested for 2 loads.
The point I was making about the bracken, MR was that there was a potential cash crop for you to sell on, but you would have had to bale it. I see its value when slash cut as a donation to the fertilizer status but it won't be much, better than nothing, and it will give some frost protection. We have had 2 frosts already, and the roads have been gritted.

Got the big birthday tomorrow which they have got wind of at work, so I am not looking forward to it, I have passed the silly b.. antics stage that seem acceptable today or even expected. I won't be cooperating at all with stupidity-never did and don't plan on changing my mind now. I have to go to the doctor's tomorrow for copd testing, which I don't know what it is, breathing I think, but the appointment will be before I normally finish work, so I will be going early. I just want an ordinary day.

I have to go to the post office for a new driving license today. I don't know if I told you the wallet saga, but I lost a wallet a few months ago between Tesco and Sainsbury in Welshpool and couldn't find it anywhere. So new cards etc. Now how is this for a shock-I am in the woodshed on Saturday to cut wood and as usual I start to move things so that I can get to the saw and there on the floor is the wallet in tact and complete with £60 inside, driving license, bank cards and other "stuff". I am going to the post office to renew as it appears to be a simple process if the forms are in order. Most costly way of doing it-£21.50, but instant..... they say! We will see.

That would be interesting if the post office would pick up our donations to the food bank-may be worth talking to our local posties and see if any would be willing. I find it strange that so many folks have this money in tax havens where, if they paid UK taxes we would all be getting a fair crack of the whip, the 'withouts' would be getting more food in the banks too and they would not necessarily be needing so much in hand outs as they would be getting better payments in social security due to more tax collected. How some of the lols-little old ladies-with poor basic pensions manage, I don't know. There are donation bins in the supermarkets here in the UK, which appear to do ok.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Wed Nov 08, 17 7:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Does sound as if you are going to have trouble with the next stump Gregotyn. You couldn't use and old axe to get through the roots; one that wouldn't matter if the blade got a bit damaged? Or take that part of the wall down and remove stump then rebuild wall?

Happy Birthday, and hope you have a nice sensible celebration. If it is the birthday I think, then you will have to get a new driving licence anyway and will need it instantly.

Great that you found your wallet again, and all intact. You can at least destroy all the cards now, as you will have had them replaced anyway, and nice to have the £60 back.

It has been a bit nippy here at times, but yesterday it rained. Husband and son managed to get some work done in the morning, but came home lunch time and gave up. Son went home to do some leather work. I had to stay home as I made an error with the bread making machine so the bread was ready in the middle of the day rather than the morning. We had a slice of good solid fruit cake at lunch time instead, which is probably rather more nutritious.

It would be nice if the postman picked up things for the food bank Gregotyn, but round here they are so pushed for time and space in their pouches I don't think it is really practical. Perhaps in rural areas, but the supermarket pick up points seem to do us pretty well.

Husband and son have 70 log nets to deliver today, so I will be busy refilling as we have another order for 50 within a couple of weeks and only have 24 spare at the moment.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Thu Nov 09, 17 2:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

The next stump goes under a building wall as well as the field boundary wall, so digging it out with a digger is possible but taking down the one wall is not a starter-we think we will remove as much as possible then poison the rest and hope what is on top doesn't fall down. Luckily I don't have to make the decisions!

Thankyou MR it was a happy birthday. My birthday was to be spent with my neighbours going to a pub for a meal but she thought it was today not yesterday-my fault-I thought the same till I got excited and looked on the calendar, so we are going out tonight. She cooked a meal yesterday. They are a great young couple, whose 2 horses graze my spare grass. Both horses are sensible and quiet, don't escape and are sociable towards me, so maximum points there. I am having further celebrations over the weekend at my friends' in Bridgnorth; their children and grand children will also be there-9 in all, 10 with me.

Only one more frost this week so far and roads salted so ok. The thing about the wallet is why couldn't I find it when I went to pay in Sainsbury's, when I had used the wallet in Tesco's only a few minutes earlier; and how did it get into the workshop and in tact? I guess we will never know! The £60 was a bonus as was finding the driving license.

Of necessity our postmen drive round here, several houses are down long drives, and walking would not be an option timewise really. One of my farmer friends is half a mile from the public road. I am on the side of the road so they can do me and 4 others at one parking then a quarter of a mile up the hill to 3 more and a mile up that lane to the man at the end.

120 nets is a lot of wood and work MR. I don't envy you doing that lot, but I will be at it next weekend after this one, ready for the, hopefully, December rush. Can Husband get all 70 nets on the pickup in one go, or do they have a trailer to take some as well?
Our leaves have nearly all gone from the trees now at the top of the hill with just a few hangers on, and about 50% on the low ground still to carpet the area.

I hope all is well with Cassandra, I'm not too sure what is happening, or when for her. I just hope that the hospital gets the diagnosis done quickly and all is well, and with any action needed done quickly.

Speak to you all next week.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Fri Nov 10, 17 7:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I didn't understand the stump was under a building wall. That is going to cause trouble as it rots no doubt, but as you say, not your problem. Sounds as if you are making the most of the birthday celebrations, so have a good time. I thought your postmen probably had to drive. The one who delivers to us has a van and does a number of houses at a time, then moves it on, as we are a long road with houses only one side and some with moderate drive, although not as long as round your way. Most of the estate delivering postmen get brought out in a van with their post and do the work on foot.

The log sacks went to 2 different customers. The 20 to one can easily go in the back of the van, but the 50 are spread between the van and a trailer. I did a few more yesterday, but didn't have much cut wood, so only did half a dozen, then made a couple of besom heads as I have an order for 2 more, and dug out some sawdust to go to the farm shop to smoke bacon. Not a lot, but a mildly productive day. Husband and son did log loads, so we got something done.

Jam Lady



Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2501
Location: New Jersey, USA
PostPosted: Sun Nov 12, 17 11:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

The garden club's annual luncheon is in early December. The November newsletter has suggestions of what to bring for donations to A Woman's Place, which will be delivered directly after the lunchein.

SUGGESTED ITEMS FOR A WOMAN’S PLACE:
 
Gift Certificates/Gift Cards: Supermarket, K-Mart, Sears, Target, Walmart, drug store, gas cards, movie theatre
Household Products: Laundry and dish soap, fabric softener, trash bags, household cleaners, toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, brooms, mops, light bulbs, 30 gallon clear storage tubs with lids
Personal Products: Hair and skin products, feminine hygiene products, hand sanitizer, razors, deodorant, full size shampoo, full size conditioner, full size body wash, baby wipes, diapers (sizes 4, 5and 6), baby powder, baby wash/shampoo
New Linens: New pillows
Medications/Health: Cold/flu/allergy medications, Tylenol, Advil, antacids, vitamins, children’s medications, children’s ear thermometers
Foods: Juice boxes, school snacks, canned goods, fresh produce
Clothing: Larger women’s clothing, new women’s sweat suits, underwear, socks, pajamas (all sizes), clothing (all sizes), children’s underwear
Special Needs: Bus tokens, batteries, irons, small alarm clocks, fans
Children’s Program Needs: Crayons, markers, coloring books
*If you would like to participate in this please bring your gift either wrapped in clear cellophane, or wrapped with a bow, or unwrapped so that the people at Woman's Place can tell what it is without unwrapping it.

Post new topic   Reply to topic    Downsizer Forum Index -> Grow Your Own All times are GMT
Page Previous  1, 2, 3 ... 291, 292, 293 ... 423, 424, 425  Next
Page 292 of 425
View Latest Posts View Latest Posts

 

Archive
Powered by php-BB © 2001, 2005 php-BB Group
Style by marsjupiter.com, released under GNU (GNU/GPL) license.
Copyright © 2004 marsjupiter.com